Manual

31
THE BASIC RULES OF SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING
We believe that Americans have a right to purchase and use firearms for lawful
purposes. The private ownership of firearms in America is traditional, but that
ownership imposes the responsibility on the gun owner to use his firearms in
a way which will ensure his own safety and that of others. When firearms are
used in a safe and responsible manner, they are a great source of pleasure and
satisfaction, and represent a fundamental part of our personal liberty.
Firearms do not cause accidents! Firearms accidents are almost always found
to have been the result of carelessness, or ignorance on the part of the shooter
of the basic rules of safe gun handling.
The following rules must be observed by gun users at all times. Safe gun han-
dling is not just desirable, it is absolutely essential to your safety, the safety of
others, and the continuation of gun ownership and sport shooting as we know
it today.
1. LEARN THE MECHANICAL AND HANDLING CHAR-
ACTERISTICS OF THE FIREARM YOU ARE USING.
Not all firearms are the same. The
method of carrying and handling
firearms varies in accordance with
the mechanical provisions for avoid-
ing accidental discharge and the vari-
ous proper procedures for loading
and unloading. No person should
handle any firearm without first hav-
ing thoroughly familiarized himself
with the particular type of firearm he
is using, and with safe gun handling
in general.
2. ALWAYS KEEP THE
MUZZLE POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION.
Be sure of the bullet stop behind your
target, even when dry-firing. Never
let the muzzle of a firearm point at
any part of your body or at another
person. This is particularly important
when loading or unloading a firearm.
In the event of an accidental dis-
charge, no injury can occur as long
as the muzzle is pointing in a safe
direction. A safe direction means a
direction which will not permit a dis-
charged bullet to strike a person, or to strike an object from which the bullet
may ricochet.
RUGER
®
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE
USING THIS FIREARM.